AN: one of my reviewers commented on it not being a good idea to throw a surprise party for a heart patient (chapter 4) So for the record, his friends don't know about his heart problem yet and he's too afraid to tell them. So they didn't know what the party could've done to him. Thank you for that comment, when I wrote that chapter it was around 3 AM and I was really tired so I guess I wasn't really paying attention to what I was writing.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugi or any of the characters.
'Thoughts'
/Yugi to Yami/
[Yami to Yugi]
Chapter 6
Yugi and Yami returned to the game shop after picking out some movies. They decided to sit on the couch and watch some TV before the others showed up. Yugi was sitting on Yami's lap while Yami had his head gently resting on top of Yugi's.
/Yami?/ Yugi asked quietly, snuggling closer to Yami.
[Yes Aibou?] Yami replied.
/I'm scared to tell the others?/ whispered Yugi.
Yami was confused, [tell the others what, Hikari?]
Yugi signed softly, /about my heart/ Yugi buried his face in Yami's shirt trying to hide his tears, clenching Yami's shirt tightly in his small fingers.
[Why are you afraid to tell them, my little light, are you afraid they will treat you different?] Yami questioned. Yugi nodded his head slightly, still not looking at Yami.
Yami gently rubbed circles on the smaller boys back trying to soothe him. He leaned closer and whispered in his Hikari's ear, "if they are true friends, then they will treat you no different."
Yugi lifted his head up and looked at Yami with his red, tear filled eyes, /do you think they'll leave me?/ Yugi asked in a small voice almost as if he was afraid of the answer.
Yami just hugged him tight and replied, [No, I really can't see them leaving you for something like this] Yugi was about to ask another question but they were interrupted by someone knocking rather loudly on the door. Yami grumbled something under his breath as he gently picked up Yugi and released his shirt from Yugi's grip, the got up and went to answer the door. Yugi couldn't help but laugh at the way Yami was acting. 'I love how he shows a completely different side of himself when he is just around me' Yugi thought, 'and that's the side that makes me love him even more.' Yugi smiled at that thought and got off the couch to greet his friends.
As he neared the kitchen, he could hear his friends happily chatting with each other. 'I'll tell them tomorrow,' Yugi thought, 'I don't want to ruin anyone's fun but telling such depressing news.' With his mind made up, Yugi put a cheerful smile on his face as he entered the kitchen.
Yugi's eyes widened when he saw all the food spread out on the counter. 'Seto brought enough food to feed an entire army,' thought Yugi while smiling to himself as he watched Bakura quickly pull Ryou out of the way, so he wouldn't get trampled, as Joey ran full speed toward the food. Malik wasn't going to let him get to the food first, so he pushed past Marik and raced to the food also, then both of them were fighting over who grabbed what first.
"Hey!" Joey yelled as his piece of chicken was grabbed out of his hands, "I had that first."
"You have to be faster than that," Malik replied, glaring at the blond, "better luck next time."
Ryou noticed Yugi standing by the door, "Hey Yugi, you better get something to eat before these two human garbage disposals eat it all." Ryou said jokingly, but frowned when he saw that Yugi was spacing out with a distant look on his face.
Yami turned when he didn't hear Yugi reply and was concerned when he saw the look on his Hikari's face.
As Yugi watched his friends, he saddened as he remembered he had to tell them his secret, 'what if Yami was wrong, what if they leave me cause I'm weak? I don't want to be alone again.' Yugi was brought out of his thoughts when he noticed Yami kneeling in front of him with his hands on Yugi's shoulders.
"Are you all right, Hikari?" asked Yami concerned.
Yugi shook his head to clear his thoughts, he looked at Yami and smiled, "Hai Yami," he replied softly, "I was just thinking, that's all." Yugi could tell that Yami didn't believe him, so he wrapped his arms around Yami's neck and whispered in his ear, "I'll tell you later Yami," he promised, "I want to wait till after the party, I don't want to ruin everyone's good time."
"Are you sure?" asked Yami quietly. Yugi nodded and gave Yami a quick hug then walked over to the food.
Yami watched sadly as Yugi tried to pretend like nothing was wrong, and he knew all of Yugi's friends could see it also. He saw Joey and the other two Hikari's exchange worried glances as they looked at Yugi. 'I know you're scared,' Yami thought, 'but I wish you would tell me when things are bothering you.'
Finally everyone had their food and was sitting at the table chatting away. Ryou looked over at Yugi and saw that he barely touched anything on his plate, and he was spacing out again. He gently put his hand on Yugi's shoulder and waited for the small boy to respond. After a few minutes, Yugi looked at Ryou with a questioning look in his eyes.
"Yugi, are you sure your okay?" Ryou asked concerned.
Yugi nodded his head, "Hai Ryou, I'm fine." Yugi gave a small smile but could tell that his friend didn't believe him.
"You know you can tell us anything, right?" Ryou tried again.
"I know, Ryou." Yugi replied, "I just need to figure this out on my own, but thanks anyway."
"All right," sighed Ryou, "just remember we're here for you."
Yugi nodded and gave Ryou a hug, then quickly got lost in his thoughts again. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't realize that they were going into the mind link, and Yami could hear every word
/Maybe Yami was right,/he thought, /I really can't see Ryou or Joey leaving me for something like this, but I'm also afraid that Bakura and Marik might tease and pick on me for being weak and I don't know if I can handle that./
Yami frowned as he listened to Yugi's thoughts. He wanted to comment that Bakura and Marik may be a little intimidating sometimes, but he really couldn't see them being mean to his little Hikari. Yami decided not to say anything to Yugi because he was sure that Yugi probably didn't even realize he was using the mind link, so Yami just kept his mouth shut.
Yami hated to see his Aibou so depressed, so he leaned over in his seat and picked Yugi up. Yugi gave a startled squeak but quickly quieted down when Yami set him in his lap. Yugi just smiled and snuggled up closer, then started to eat. Yami smiled down at him, then looked over at the concerned looks on their friends' faces. Yami slightly nodded toward Bakura and Marik and both seemed to understand what he was trying to say.
'I know Aibou didn't want me to tell anyone,' Yami thought while wrapping his arms tightly around Yugi, 'but as much as I hate to admit it, I could use their help on this one.'Yugi stayed in Yami's lap and the rest of the meal was eaten in silence. Yugi tried to ignore the concerned looks that his friends were giving him, still too afraid to tell them his secret. 'I can't tell them yet,' Yugi thought, 'this party is supposed to be a celebration of Yami and me getting together, not about me being even weaker than I was before and I didn't even think that was possible.' Yugi could feel the tears forming behind his eyes and he climbed off Yami's lap and headed upstairs. Yami was about to get up and follow his light but Yugi stopped him.
/it's okay Yami/ Yugi said quietly, /I'm just going up to the bathroom./
Yami gave him a concerned look, [are you okay Aibou?] Yami asked [do you want me to come with you?]
Yugi thought about it for a moment, 'I do Yami, but you're supposed to be having fun, not constantly worrying about me.'
Yugi forced a smile on his face and turned toward Yami. /Yes Yami I'm okay, I'll be right back/
Yugi knew that Yami didn't believe him, but he just needed to be alone for a few minutes. He quickly ran to the bathroom and closed the door. He made sure to block the mind link so Yami couldn't tell that he was upset. Then he sat down on the floor as tears ran down his face and sobs shook his small body.
Everyone looked at Yami after Yugi had left the kitchen. Yami sighed as they waited for him to say something to explain Yugi's unusual behavior. "I'm sorry guys," he said sadly, "I promised Aibou that I wouldn't say anything." Yami could tell that they were not satisfied with that answer.
When Ryou, Malik and Joey were finished eating, they decided to go into the livingroom and wait for Yugi to come back downstairs. Yami nodded his head signaling for the others to stay in the kitchen. When the hikaris, Joey and Seto were gone, Bakura and Marik gave Yami a concerned and questioning look.
"All right," Yami stated, "first you have to promise me that you won't tell your Hikari's what I'm about to tell you."
Marik and Bakura nodded their heads in agreement, and Yami continued. "Aibou found out at the hospital that he has a weak heart and must be on heart medication for the rest of his life." Yami could tell that they were shocked.
"Is that why he was so quiet and upset during dinner?" Bakura asked.
Yami nodded, "Yes, he is afraid that his friends will leave him if they were to find out. But I told him that would never happen."
"They wouldn't leave his for something like that." Marik stated, "he knows that."
"Yes he does know that," Yami replied, "he's just scared that they will treat him differently if they knew." Yami sighed, 'should I tell them what else Yugi thought?' Yami wondered, 'I'm betraying his trust just by telling these two.'
"There's something else that I didn't tell you guys." Yami said sadly, "he's also afraid that you two will tease and harass him for being even weaker than he was before."
Bakura and Marik were shocked, "sure we picked on him once in awhile, but even we wouldn't pick on the little one for something like this." Bakura answered.
"Yeah," Marik replied, "sure we weren't very nice to the little squirt before, but I would never tease him for having a heart condition."
Yami was about to reply when he heard a noise and turned around, what he saw shocked and saddened him at the same time. He saw his little Aibou standing in the doorway with tears running down his face, his body was shaking with his cries. 'He told them,' Yugi thought, 'I'm glad to hear that Bakura and Marik didn't change how they felt about me but he still shouldn't have told them.'
"You promised Yami." he whispered, "you promised you wouldn't tell them yet." Yami started to walk toward Yugi, but for every step he took, Yugi took one away from him.
"Yugi please," Yami said, "I didn't know what else to do..."
Yugi cut Yami off, "you broke your promise, you went back on your word," Yugi yelled, his tears coming faster down his cheeks. Yami tried to take another step toward his Hikari to comfort him but Yugi just shook his head and stepped further away, "No! Stay away from me." Yugi cried, "you lied to me, you lied to me." Yugi turned and ran from the kitchen and straight out the front door. The Hikari's, Joey and Seto came out of the livingroom to find out what the screaming was about and saw Yugi run out the door, with Yami close behind him.
"What happened?" asked Ryou as he walked up to Bakura, "What's wrong with Yugi?"
Bakura could tell that Ryou and the others were worried about the small light. Seto was holding Joey trying to comfort him, while Malik ran to Marik and climbed into his arms. Bakura looked down at his own light and saw that he had tears forming in his eyes in concern for his fellow light.
"He'll be all right," Bakura said, wrapping his arms around his Hikari trying to comfort his light, "Yami will make sure he'll be okay."
"Why was Yugi so upset?" Malik asked, wrapping his arms tighter around his yami.
"I'm sorry," Marik replied, returning the embrace, "but Yugi will have to tell you that himself."
Ryou turned his head to look out the front door that was still open and saw the dark clouds forming overhead, "I hope Yami finds him soon," he said, "its really starting to get dark out there."
The others followed his gaze and were starting to get worried. Ryou tugged on Bakura's sleeve to get his attention, when Bakura looked at him he asked, "can we please go out there and help look for him?" Ryou tried his best puppy dog look since he knew that his yami couldn't resist it.
Bakura shook his head, "Yami ran out there right after him, I think we should just leave them alone for now," Bakura stated, "he just needs his yami right now, he's the only one that can comfort the young one."
Marik nodded his head in agreement and the two hikaris sighed at their inability to help their upset friend, but they knew that if it was them instead of Yugi, they would rather have their yami's to comfort them also. After all, their yami's were the other half of their soul and who knew you better than your own self. So everyone headed back into the livingroom waiting for them to return and hopefully soon.
Yugi ran as fast as his little legs would take him, it started pouring and the little Hikari was completely soaked to the bone but he didn't care the only thing running threw his mind was 'I can't believe Yami told them,' he thought to himself, 'he's never gone back on his word before.' Yugi had to catch himself as he stumbled over an uneven square in the sidewalk, he steadied himself then continued running again. He could hear Yami chasing after him, calling his name but Yugi refused to stop he just kept pushing himself to run faster. Yugi quickly turned the corner and crawled through the bushes and into a secluded part of the park. He held his breath as he heard Yami running past him still calling his name. Yugi sighed and crawled over to the small lake that was at the edge of the bushes. He lay down on the grass and started to cry again, the sobs and the heavy rain were causing his small body to shake uncontrollably.
Yami cursed as he continued to chase after his light, 'how could I have been so stupid,' he yelled at himself, 'I knew Aibou didn't want me to tell anyone and I should have respected his wishes, but his friends were so concerned for him I felt I had to say something.' Yami saw Yugi dart around the corner and he quickened his pace to catch the smaller boy, but as he turned the corner he lost sight of the young boy. 'My Ra, he sure can run fast for having such little legs.' thought Yami, 'I hope I find him soon, he shouldn't be outside in this kind of weather. He doesn't even have a jacket on.' Yami quickened his pace again in hopes of finding him, Yami unknowingly ran right past the stop where Yugi was, and continued going.
[Yugi, where are you] Yami tried the mind link in hopes that his little light would answer, [please tell me where you are]
Yami saddened when he received no reply, so he decided to use the puzzle to search for Yugi. Yami concentrated on trying to feel Yugi's presence and was surprised to feel it coming from the other direction. Yami turned around and followed it till he came to a row of bushes. 'Well I followed his presence but where is Yugi?' he thought, he was about to walk away but a sound from the other side of the bushes made him stop.
Yami could hear someone crying softly on the other side, so he quietly crawled through the bushes and came to a clearing. His heart saddened at the sight before him. He saw his little light curled up in a ball crying softly, his small body shivering from the cold. Yami quietly walked over to his Hikari and noticed that he had cried himself to sleep, but he still had tears running down his face mixing with the pouring rain. Yami carefully pickup him up and wrapped his arms tightly around the small light. Yugi whimpered quietly but then snuggled deeper into Yami's warm embrace and wrapped his arms tightly around Yami's neck hiding his face in Yami's shirt. Yami carefully removed his jacket trying not to disturb his little light and wrapped it around Yugi's shaking body in an effort to warm the small one up. Yami ran home as quick as he could without jarring Yugi's body too much. Yami sighed in relief when he saw the game shop coming into view, as he ran through the door, he ignored the concerned looks on their friends' faces and rushed upstairs and headed straight for the bathroom. He closed the door and quickly got Yugi out of the soaking wet clothes and started a bath full of warm water. He covered Yugi's small body with a large fluffy towel as he heard a noise behind him causing him to turn around, he saw Bakura, Marik and their Hikari's standing in the bathroom entrance. They looked extremely worried about Yugi.
"Bakura" he whispered so as not to disturb his light, "can you please go into Yugi's room and get him some pajamas?"
Bakura nodded his head and quickly went into Yugi's room, he picked out a nice pair of warm flannel pajamas and went back to Yami.
"Thank you." Yami said gratefully, "I will explain everything once I get Yugi warm and in bed."
The others left so Yami could give Yugi a bath and put him to bed. Once they closed the door, Yami was presented with another problem 'how do I bathe Yugi while he is still unconscious?' An idea came to his mind and he quickly shed his clothing also, he picked up Yugi and climbed into the bathtub. He gently held Yugi in his lap and wrapped his arms around Yugi shivering body. Yami then proceeded to wash the small boy's body as his trembling finally stopped and Yugi started to stir.
/ 'ami?/ came a soft voice. Yami looked down and saw that Yugi's eyes were still closed, but he noticed Yugi's arms wrap around his waist.
[yes Aibou, I'm here] replied Yami.
/ 'ami, I'm cold/ whispered Yugi
Yami wrapped his arms tighter around his little light as Yugi started to shiver again. Yami got out of the tub and carefully dried Yugi off, then put him in the warm clothes that Bakura had grabbed for him. He picked Yugi up and carried him to his room. On the way, Yugi snuggled into Yami's neck and wrapped his arms around Yami tightly. Yami arrived at Yugi's room, but when he tried to place Yugi in his bed, Yugi just tightened his grip around Yami's neck. Yami sighed and climbed into bed, once he lay down, Yugi snuggled against him again and started to fall asleep quickly. Yami continued to hold his Hikari until he noticed Yugi's breathing level out and Yami knew that he was asleep. Yami then loosened Yugi's grip on him and got out of bed quietly so as not to wake his slumbering Aibou. Before Yami walked out of the room, he glanced at Yugi on more time, then headed downstairs.
When Yami entered the living room, he was immediately bombarded by questions from their friends all asking the questions at the same time.
"Is Yugi okay?" Ryou asked
"What happened?" questioned Malik
"Where did you find him?" Joey wondered "Is the munchkin all right?" asked Bakura
"How's the squirt doing?" Marik questioned
"Should I call my personal doctor?" Seto stated.
Yami raised his hand to silence them for a minute as he slumped down onto the couch, "one at a time please," Yami said, "All right, Yugi is upstairs sleeping now. He seems fine now, he was complaining that he was cold but I think the bath helped. To answer your question Seto, I don't think that as of now that will be necessary but I guess we'll find out when Yugi wakes up."
Just then they all heard a loud scream come from upstairs, Yami jumped off the couch and ran as quickly as he could to Yugi's room. When he arrived, he saw Yugi thrashing in his bed. He had tears streaming down his face. Yami quickly ran over to his light picked him up and gently placed him in his lap. He wrapped his arms around Yugi and whispered comforting words in his ear.
"Its okay Yugi, I'm here" Yami whispered in his ear, "what's wrong?"
"I 'ad a nightmare," replied Yugi quietly sniffling, "I dreamed everyone left me all alone, you hated me cause I'm so weak."
"It was only a dream Yugi," Yami said, "everyone is still downstairs, and they're really worried about you."
Yami continued to hold Yugi until eventually Yugi quit screaming and crying and rested his head in the crook of Yami's neck. He tightly clenched Yami's shirt in his small fingers. Yami rocked back and forth trying to soothe his little Hikari.
/ 'ami?/ whispered Yugi, keeping his face buried in Yami's neck.
Yami tightened his grip and replied, [yes, Aibou?]
/Why did you break your promise?/ Yugi asked quietly, /why did you tell them, now they're going to leave me./
[I'm sorry, Yugi] answered Yami, [your friends were really worried about you, I didn't tell them I only told the other yamis. They would never make fun of you Yugi or leave you, I hope you know that.]
Yugi didn't reply, he only snuggled closer to Yami and let out a small yawn. Yami smiled at his light [go to sleep little one, I'll stay with you till you fall asleep.]
Yugi nodded sleepily and tightened his grip on Yami's shirt. Yami continued to hold Yugi until he finally fell asleep. He then gently pried his shirt loose from Yugi's small fingers and covered Yugi up then headed back downstairs.
"Yugi had a nightmare." Yami said to their questioning looks, "he thought you guys would leave him if you knew."
"Knew what?" asked Ryou.
"I'm sorry Ryou, but I can't tell you that." answered Yami, "Yugi's going to have to be the one to tell you, I already broke my promise by telling the yamis. Just give him some time, I'm sure he'll tell you tomorrow."
Ryou nodded his head and then yawned. Bakura walked over to his light and gathered him in his arms. Ryou snuggled closer to his yami and instantly fell asleep in the warm embrace.
"You guys can stay here if you want." replied Yami, "I'm afraid there's only one guestroom, the others will have to take the couch or the floor."
Bakura, as fast as he could without waking his Hikari, quickly darted upstairs to claim the guestroom. Seto jumped on the couch and sprawled out with Joey by his side claiming that as his own, which left the floor for Marik and Malik.
Malik playfully punched Marik in the arm, "If you weren't so slow we could have had a bed or couch."
Marik mock glared at his Hikari and pulled him down on the floor with him. Malik snuggled closer and fell asleep. Marik smiled at his Hikari and fell asleep also.
Yami headed back upstairs to his and Yugi's room and was relieved to see that Yugi was still asleep. He climbed into bed and pulled his gently pulled his Hikari closer to him. He held Yugi tightly until he finally fell asleep happily with his light securely in his arms.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugi or any of the characters.
'Thoughts'
/Yugi to Yami/
[Yami to Yugi]
Chapter 6
Yugi and Yami returned to the game shop after picking out some movies. They decided to sit on the couch and watch some TV before the others showed up. Yugi was sitting on Yami's lap while Yami had his head gently resting on top of Yugi's.
/Yami?/ Yugi asked quietly, snuggling closer to Yami.
[Yes Aibou?] Yami replied.
/I'm scared to tell the others?/ whispered Yugi.
Yami was confused, [tell the others what, Hikari?]
Yugi signed softly, /about my heart/ Yugi buried his face in Yami's shirt trying to hide his tears, clenching Yami's shirt tightly in his small fingers.
[Why are you afraid to tell them, my little light, are you afraid they will treat you different?] Yami questioned. Yugi nodded his head slightly, still not looking at Yami.
Yami gently rubbed circles on the smaller boys back trying to soothe him. He leaned closer and whispered in his Hikari's ear, "if they are true friends, then they will treat you no different."
Yugi lifted his head up and looked at Yami with his red, tear filled eyes, /do you think they'll leave me?/ Yugi asked in a small voice almost as if he was afraid of the answer.
Yami just hugged him tight and replied, [No, I really can't see them leaving you for something like this] Yugi was about to ask another question but they were interrupted by someone knocking rather loudly on the door. Yami grumbled something under his breath as he gently picked up Yugi and released his shirt from Yugi's grip, the got up and went to answer the door. Yugi couldn't help but laugh at the way Yami was acting. 'I love how he shows a completely different side of himself when he is just around me' Yugi thought, 'and that's the side that makes me love him even more.' Yugi smiled at that thought and got off the couch to greet his friends.
As he neared the kitchen, he could hear his friends happily chatting with each other. 'I'll tell them tomorrow,' Yugi thought, 'I don't want to ruin anyone's fun but telling such depressing news.' With his mind made up, Yugi put a cheerful smile on his face as he entered the kitchen.
Yugi's eyes widened when he saw all the food spread out on the counter. 'Seto brought enough food to feed an entire army,' thought Yugi while smiling to himself as he watched Bakura quickly pull Ryou out of the way, so he wouldn't get trampled, as Joey ran full speed toward the food. Malik wasn't going to let him get to the food first, so he pushed past Marik and raced to the food also, then both of them were fighting over who grabbed what first.
"Hey!" Joey yelled as his piece of chicken was grabbed out of his hands, "I had that first."
"You have to be faster than that," Malik replied, glaring at the blond, "better luck next time."
Ryou noticed Yugi standing by the door, "Hey Yugi, you better get something to eat before these two human garbage disposals eat it all." Ryou said jokingly, but frowned when he saw that Yugi was spacing out with a distant look on his face.
Yami turned when he didn't hear Yugi reply and was concerned when he saw the look on his Hikari's face.
As Yugi watched his friends, he saddened as he remembered he had to tell them his secret, 'what if Yami was wrong, what if they leave me cause I'm weak? I don't want to be alone again.' Yugi was brought out of his thoughts when he noticed Yami kneeling in front of him with his hands on Yugi's shoulders.
"Are you all right, Hikari?" asked Yami concerned.
Yugi shook his head to clear his thoughts, he looked at Yami and smiled, "Hai Yami," he replied softly, "I was just thinking, that's all." Yugi could tell that Yami didn't believe him, so he wrapped his arms around Yami's neck and whispered in his ear, "I'll tell you later Yami," he promised, "I want to wait till after the party, I don't want to ruin everyone's good time."
"Are you sure?" asked Yami quietly. Yugi nodded and gave Yami a quick hug then walked over to the food.
Yami watched sadly as Yugi tried to pretend like nothing was wrong, and he knew all of Yugi's friends could see it also. He saw Joey and the other two Hikari's exchange worried glances as they looked at Yugi. 'I know you're scared,' Yami thought, 'but I wish you would tell me when things are bothering you.'
Finally everyone had their food and was sitting at the table chatting away. Ryou looked over at Yugi and saw that he barely touched anything on his plate, and he was spacing out again. He gently put his hand on Yugi's shoulder and waited for the small boy to respond. After a few minutes, Yugi looked at Ryou with a questioning look in his eyes.
"Yugi, are you sure your okay?" Ryou asked concerned.
Yugi nodded his head, "Hai Ryou, I'm fine." Yugi gave a small smile but could tell that his friend didn't believe him.
"You know you can tell us anything, right?" Ryou tried again.
"I know, Ryou." Yugi replied, "I just need to figure this out on my own, but thanks anyway."
"All right," sighed Ryou, "just remember we're here for you."
Yugi nodded and gave Ryou a hug, then quickly got lost in his thoughts again. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't realize that they were going into the mind link, and Yami could hear every word
/Maybe Yami was right,/he thought, /I really can't see Ryou or Joey leaving me for something like this, but I'm also afraid that Bakura and Marik might tease and pick on me for being weak and I don't know if I can handle that./
Yami frowned as he listened to Yugi's thoughts. He wanted to comment that Bakura and Marik may be a little intimidating sometimes, but he really couldn't see them being mean to his little Hikari. Yami decided not to say anything to Yugi because he was sure that Yugi probably didn't even realize he was using the mind link, so Yami just kept his mouth shut.
Yami hated to see his Aibou so depressed, so he leaned over in his seat and picked Yugi up. Yugi gave a startled squeak but quickly quieted down when Yami set him in his lap. Yugi just smiled and snuggled up closer, then started to eat. Yami smiled down at him, then looked over at the concerned looks on their friends' faces. Yami slightly nodded toward Bakura and Marik and both seemed to understand what he was trying to say.
'I know Aibou didn't want me to tell anyone,' Yami thought while wrapping his arms tightly around Yugi, 'but as much as I hate to admit it, I could use their help on this one.'Yugi stayed in Yami's lap and the rest of the meal was eaten in silence. Yugi tried to ignore the concerned looks that his friends were giving him, still too afraid to tell them his secret. 'I can't tell them yet,' Yugi thought, 'this party is supposed to be a celebration of Yami and me getting together, not about me being even weaker than I was before and I didn't even think that was possible.' Yugi could feel the tears forming behind his eyes and he climbed off Yami's lap and headed upstairs. Yami was about to get up and follow his light but Yugi stopped him.
/it's okay Yami/ Yugi said quietly, /I'm just going up to the bathroom./
Yami gave him a concerned look, [are you okay Aibou?] Yami asked [do you want me to come with you?]
Yugi thought about it for a moment, 'I do Yami, but you're supposed to be having fun, not constantly worrying about me.'
Yugi forced a smile on his face and turned toward Yami. /Yes Yami I'm okay, I'll be right back/
Yugi knew that Yami didn't believe him, but he just needed to be alone for a few minutes. He quickly ran to the bathroom and closed the door. He made sure to block the mind link so Yami couldn't tell that he was upset. Then he sat down on the floor as tears ran down his face and sobs shook his small body.
Everyone looked at Yami after Yugi had left the kitchen. Yami sighed as they waited for him to say something to explain Yugi's unusual behavior. "I'm sorry guys," he said sadly, "I promised Aibou that I wouldn't say anything." Yami could tell that they were not satisfied with that answer.
When Ryou, Malik and Joey were finished eating, they decided to go into the livingroom and wait for Yugi to come back downstairs. Yami nodded his head signaling for the others to stay in the kitchen. When the hikaris, Joey and Seto were gone, Bakura and Marik gave Yami a concerned and questioning look.
"All right," Yami stated, "first you have to promise me that you won't tell your Hikari's what I'm about to tell you."
Marik and Bakura nodded their heads in agreement, and Yami continued. "Aibou found out at the hospital that he has a weak heart and must be on heart medication for the rest of his life." Yami could tell that they were shocked.
"Is that why he was so quiet and upset during dinner?" Bakura asked.
Yami nodded, "Yes, he is afraid that his friends will leave him if they were to find out. But I told him that would never happen."
"They wouldn't leave his for something like that." Marik stated, "he knows that."
"Yes he does know that," Yami replied, "he's just scared that they will treat him differently if they knew." Yami sighed, 'should I tell them what else Yugi thought?' Yami wondered, 'I'm betraying his trust just by telling these two.'
"There's something else that I didn't tell you guys." Yami said sadly, "he's also afraid that you two will tease and harass him for being even weaker than he was before."
Bakura and Marik were shocked, "sure we picked on him once in awhile, but even we wouldn't pick on the little one for something like this." Bakura answered.
"Yeah," Marik replied, "sure we weren't very nice to the little squirt before, but I would never tease him for having a heart condition."
Yami was about to reply when he heard a noise and turned around, what he saw shocked and saddened him at the same time. He saw his little Aibou standing in the doorway with tears running down his face, his body was shaking with his cries. 'He told them,' Yugi thought, 'I'm glad to hear that Bakura and Marik didn't change how they felt about me but he still shouldn't have told them.'
"You promised Yami." he whispered, "you promised you wouldn't tell them yet." Yami started to walk toward Yugi, but for every step he took, Yugi took one away from him.
"Yugi please," Yami said, "I didn't know what else to do..."
Yugi cut Yami off, "you broke your promise, you went back on your word," Yugi yelled, his tears coming faster down his cheeks. Yami tried to take another step toward his Hikari to comfort him but Yugi just shook his head and stepped further away, "No! Stay away from me." Yugi cried, "you lied to me, you lied to me." Yugi turned and ran from the kitchen and straight out the front door. The Hikari's, Joey and Seto came out of the livingroom to find out what the screaming was about and saw Yugi run out the door, with Yami close behind him.
"What happened?" asked Ryou as he walked up to Bakura, "What's wrong with Yugi?"
Bakura could tell that Ryou and the others were worried about the small light. Seto was holding Joey trying to comfort him, while Malik ran to Marik and climbed into his arms. Bakura looked down at his own light and saw that he had tears forming in his eyes in concern for his fellow light.
"He'll be all right," Bakura said, wrapping his arms around his Hikari trying to comfort his light, "Yami will make sure he'll be okay."
"Why was Yugi so upset?" Malik asked, wrapping his arms tighter around his yami.
"I'm sorry," Marik replied, returning the embrace, "but Yugi will have to tell you that himself."
Ryou turned his head to look out the front door that was still open and saw the dark clouds forming overhead, "I hope Yami finds him soon," he said, "its really starting to get dark out there."
The others followed his gaze and were starting to get worried. Ryou tugged on Bakura's sleeve to get his attention, when Bakura looked at him he asked, "can we please go out there and help look for him?" Ryou tried his best puppy dog look since he knew that his yami couldn't resist it.
Bakura shook his head, "Yami ran out there right after him, I think we should just leave them alone for now," Bakura stated, "he just needs his yami right now, he's the only one that can comfort the young one."
Marik nodded his head in agreement and the two hikaris sighed at their inability to help their upset friend, but they knew that if it was them instead of Yugi, they would rather have their yami's to comfort them also. After all, their yami's were the other half of their soul and who knew you better than your own self. So everyone headed back into the livingroom waiting for them to return and hopefully soon.
Yugi ran as fast as his little legs would take him, it started pouring and the little Hikari was completely soaked to the bone but he didn't care the only thing running threw his mind was 'I can't believe Yami told them,' he thought to himself, 'he's never gone back on his word before.' Yugi had to catch himself as he stumbled over an uneven square in the sidewalk, he steadied himself then continued running again. He could hear Yami chasing after him, calling his name but Yugi refused to stop he just kept pushing himself to run faster. Yugi quickly turned the corner and crawled through the bushes and into a secluded part of the park. He held his breath as he heard Yami running past him still calling his name. Yugi sighed and crawled over to the small lake that was at the edge of the bushes. He lay down on the grass and started to cry again, the sobs and the heavy rain were causing his small body to shake uncontrollably.
Yami cursed as he continued to chase after his light, 'how could I have been so stupid,' he yelled at himself, 'I knew Aibou didn't want me to tell anyone and I should have respected his wishes, but his friends were so concerned for him I felt I had to say something.' Yami saw Yugi dart around the corner and he quickened his pace to catch the smaller boy, but as he turned the corner he lost sight of the young boy. 'My Ra, he sure can run fast for having such little legs.' thought Yami, 'I hope I find him soon, he shouldn't be outside in this kind of weather. He doesn't even have a jacket on.' Yami quickened his pace again in hopes of finding him, Yami unknowingly ran right past the stop where Yugi was, and continued going.
[Yugi, where are you] Yami tried the mind link in hopes that his little light would answer, [please tell me where you are]
Yami saddened when he received no reply, so he decided to use the puzzle to search for Yugi. Yami concentrated on trying to feel Yugi's presence and was surprised to feel it coming from the other direction. Yami turned around and followed it till he came to a row of bushes. 'Well I followed his presence but where is Yugi?' he thought, he was about to walk away but a sound from the other side of the bushes made him stop.
Yami could hear someone crying softly on the other side, so he quietly crawled through the bushes and came to a clearing. His heart saddened at the sight before him. He saw his little light curled up in a ball crying softly, his small body shivering from the cold. Yami quietly walked over to his Hikari and noticed that he had cried himself to sleep, but he still had tears running down his face mixing with the pouring rain. Yami carefully pickup him up and wrapped his arms tightly around the small light. Yugi whimpered quietly but then snuggled deeper into Yami's warm embrace and wrapped his arms tightly around Yami's neck hiding his face in Yami's shirt. Yami carefully removed his jacket trying not to disturb his little light and wrapped it around Yugi's shaking body in an effort to warm the small one up. Yami ran home as quick as he could without jarring Yugi's body too much. Yami sighed in relief when he saw the game shop coming into view, as he ran through the door, he ignored the concerned looks on their friends' faces and rushed upstairs and headed straight for the bathroom. He closed the door and quickly got Yugi out of the soaking wet clothes and started a bath full of warm water. He covered Yugi's small body with a large fluffy towel as he heard a noise behind him causing him to turn around, he saw Bakura, Marik and their Hikari's standing in the bathroom entrance. They looked extremely worried about Yugi.
"Bakura" he whispered so as not to disturb his light, "can you please go into Yugi's room and get him some pajamas?"
Bakura nodded his head and quickly went into Yugi's room, he picked out a nice pair of warm flannel pajamas and went back to Yami.
"Thank you." Yami said gratefully, "I will explain everything once I get Yugi warm and in bed."
The others left so Yami could give Yugi a bath and put him to bed. Once they closed the door, Yami was presented with another problem 'how do I bathe Yugi while he is still unconscious?' An idea came to his mind and he quickly shed his clothing also, he picked up Yugi and climbed into the bathtub. He gently held Yugi in his lap and wrapped his arms around Yugi shivering body. Yami then proceeded to wash the small boy's body as his trembling finally stopped and Yugi started to stir.
/ 'ami?/ came a soft voice. Yami looked down and saw that Yugi's eyes were still closed, but he noticed Yugi's arms wrap around his waist.
[yes Aibou, I'm here] replied Yami.
/ 'ami, I'm cold/ whispered Yugi
Yami wrapped his arms tighter around his little light as Yugi started to shiver again. Yami got out of the tub and carefully dried Yugi off, then put him in the warm clothes that Bakura had grabbed for him. He picked Yugi up and carried him to his room. On the way, Yugi snuggled into Yami's neck and wrapped his arms around Yami tightly. Yami arrived at Yugi's room, but when he tried to place Yugi in his bed, Yugi just tightened his grip around Yami's neck. Yami sighed and climbed into bed, once he lay down, Yugi snuggled against him again and started to fall asleep quickly. Yami continued to hold his Hikari until he noticed Yugi's breathing level out and Yami knew that he was asleep. Yami then loosened Yugi's grip on him and got out of bed quietly so as not to wake his slumbering Aibou. Before Yami walked out of the room, he glanced at Yugi on more time, then headed downstairs.
When Yami entered the living room, he was immediately bombarded by questions from their friends all asking the questions at the same time.
"Is Yugi okay?" Ryou asked
"What happened?" questioned Malik
"Where did you find him?" Joey wondered "Is the munchkin all right?" asked Bakura
"How's the squirt doing?" Marik questioned
"Should I call my personal doctor?" Seto stated.
Yami raised his hand to silence them for a minute as he slumped down onto the couch, "one at a time please," Yami said, "All right, Yugi is upstairs sleeping now. He seems fine now, he was complaining that he was cold but I think the bath helped. To answer your question Seto, I don't think that as of now that will be necessary but I guess we'll find out when Yugi wakes up."
Just then they all heard a loud scream come from upstairs, Yami jumped off the couch and ran as quickly as he could to Yugi's room. When he arrived, he saw Yugi thrashing in his bed. He had tears streaming down his face. Yami quickly ran over to his light picked him up and gently placed him in his lap. He wrapped his arms around Yugi and whispered comforting words in his ear.
"Its okay Yugi, I'm here" Yami whispered in his ear, "what's wrong?"
"I 'ad a nightmare," replied Yugi quietly sniffling, "I dreamed everyone left me all alone, you hated me cause I'm so weak."
"It was only a dream Yugi," Yami said, "everyone is still downstairs, and they're really worried about you."
Yami continued to hold Yugi until eventually Yugi quit screaming and crying and rested his head in the crook of Yami's neck. He tightly clenched Yami's shirt in his small fingers. Yami rocked back and forth trying to soothe his little Hikari.
/ 'ami?/ whispered Yugi, keeping his face buried in Yami's neck.
Yami tightened his grip and replied, [yes, Aibou?]
/Why did you break your promise?/ Yugi asked quietly, /why did you tell them, now they're going to leave me./
[I'm sorry, Yugi] answered Yami, [your friends were really worried about you, I didn't tell them I only told the other yamis. They would never make fun of you Yugi or leave you, I hope you know that.]
Yugi didn't reply, he only snuggled closer to Yami and let out a small yawn. Yami smiled at his light [go to sleep little one, I'll stay with you till you fall asleep.]
Yugi nodded sleepily and tightened his grip on Yami's shirt. Yami continued to hold Yugi until he finally fell asleep. He then gently pried his shirt loose from Yugi's small fingers and covered Yugi up then headed back downstairs.
"Yugi had a nightmare." Yami said to their questioning looks, "he thought you guys would leave him if you knew."
"Knew what?" asked Ryou.
"I'm sorry Ryou, but I can't tell you that." answered Yami, "Yugi's going to have to be the one to tell you, I already broke my promise by telling the yamis. Just give him some time, I'm sure he'll tell you tomorrow."
Ryou nodded his head and then yawned. Bakura walked over to his light and gathered him in his arms. Ryou snuggled closer to his yami and instantly fell asleep in the warm embrace.
"You guys can stay here if you want." replied Yami, "I'm afraid there's only one guestroom, the others will have to take the couch or the floor."
Bakura, as fast as he could without waking his Hikari, quickly darted upstairs to claim the guestroom. Seto jumped on the couch and sprawled out with Joey by his side claiming that as his own, which left the floor for Marik and Malik.
Malik playfully punched Marik in the arm, "If you weren't so slow we could have had a bed or couch."
Marik mock glared at his Hikari and pulled him down on the floor with him. Malik snuggled closer and fell asleep. Marik smiled at his Hikari and fell asleep also.
Yami headed back upstairs to his and Yugi's room and was relieved to see that Yugi was still asleep. He climbed into bed and pulled his gently pulled his Hikari closer to him. He held Yugi tightly until he finally fell asleep happily with his light securely in his arms.